KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Reuters) - Malaysia’s central bank on Thursday projected that the economy will grow 4.3-4.8 percent this year, more than the 4.2 percent reported for 2016.

The target, if achieved, would reverse two years of slowing growth and provides a boost for Prime Minister Najib Razak, who might call elections as early as the second half of this year.

“With the gradual improvement in global growth, recovery in global commodity prices and the continued growth of domestic demand are expected to collectively support Malaysia’s growth performance,” Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said in its annual report.